2017 was a tumultuous year for humanitarian response in Latin America and the Caribbean. The safety, security and stability of millions of people in the region was compromised by disasters and emergencies, while the humanitarian aid sector underwent a re-evaluation of its purpose, practices and financing.

Latin America, along with the Saharan countries of Africa, is among the regions that are most fragile and vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The most vulnerable countries have been identified as Haiti, Guyana, Bolivia, Honduras and Guatemala. Projected variations in rainfall patterns will bring about changes in the water cycle, such as sudden floods, droughts and the consequent risk of forest fires.

INTENSE RAINS: In the last weeks of 2014 rains affected several countries in South America. Regions in the departments of Huanuco in Peru, La Paz in Bolivia and the province of Misiones in Argentina were affected by a strong storm.

FOREST FIRES: 11 departments in Colombia are on alert for forest fires. There have been 80 emergencies so far.

MIGRANTS: about 50,000 children were deported from the United States and Mexico in 2014, mostly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.